Two Weeks Left? You're Joking.

Your questions first! No, I haven't  been to church. This weekend will be the first that I'll be home on a Sunday since my first weekend here. I miss it so much! If anyone is free the week I get back, can we have a worship session? I'd love to catch up on all God has been doing in the States! And Haiti, and China,... But time with Jesus has been sweet. I love having time alone with the Word; I don't get much alone time! Neighbors stop by often (one is here now!) and Monique and Dominique's children all live close and are here most days with their children. And Monique takes care of children at our house while their parents are at work. My time alone is a refresher for both my body and my soul. I've been in the Psalms for the most part. Yesterday I read Psalm 14. God is our refuge! Seek the Lord while he may be found!

Thank you all for your letters and your comments on my blog. I'm always so excited to read them!! Can you believe I only have two weeks left? I can't. That went way too quickly. I'm not ready to leave either! I've met so many people that I love, and who knows when I'll see them again? Monique and Dominique said I can stay here the next time I come to France. Mom and Dad, they said if my parents are anything like me, they are welcome here too. I didn't make any jokes but accepted that offer graciously : )  You would really like them! They remind me a lot of you both.

I haven't seen much of France, but I've seen a lot of Brittany! I've been to the coast on each side of Brittany and spent time in Normandy with school. Then in eleven days we leave for Paris! It isn't much of France, but I don't mind. I satisfied with my corner of France.

Hey, happy Independence Day! We celebrated here too! I woke up and wished my mom and happy Independence Day, and she said, "Oh, yeah... Thanks." No problem! The night before I was talking with Dominique about our war for independence and the French Revolution. He didn't believe me when I said Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, and he made me prove it with the Internet. Dominique was upset that I didn't know much about Lafayette, the great French general who aided the Americans. He had me read up on him...  Yesterday we had dinner with friends (which is a story in itself), and Dominique asked "What are they talking about at that end of the table?" I told him they were talking about the differences between French and English (the languages). Dominique said, "The English are imbeciles" because their food is awful and they're unnattractive. He told me they eat too much pudding, which causes indigestion. "You could eat two McDonald's, or you could eat one pudding." Then he started praising the French, and his two arguments were their food and Lafayette.

We celebrated our independence day by having no classes! It was a good suprise. Instead we watched a movie, learned about French comics, and took a field trip into town to the bookstore to read some comics for ourselves. That evening, we had a reception at city hall with the mayor of St-Brieuc. We all dressed up for the occasion! All our families were there, and there were some speakers and our choir sang. Oh, I forgot to tell you! I decided to join choir. It was fun and we did really well! We sang in French and in Breton. The Breton song was to the tune of "Amazing Grace, " and was so pretty when sung with a choir. Then our professors told us they had a surprise: we were going to sing our national anthem for our parents! In English! As we sang, with the sound reverberating and filling the room, my pride of country rivaled what I felt in Normandy. You should look up the lyrics and read them aloud. It's a beautiful song.

I thought by now the French culture would be second-nature, and certain aspects are! I'll try to remember not to kiss your cheeks when I see you all again. I'm still learning here though! During my communication class last week, we were sharing things that our families do that surprised us. There were many exclamations of "Oh! I thought only my family did that!" Nope, it's just France. Par example, during dinner, it is common for people to reach across the table for something they want. When we ask for something to be passed during dinner, our parents say, "Comme chez toi!" They want us to act like we would at our house, because they want us to be comfortable in their home. I've learned that cultural differences like that are good to know, since my politeness was taken for timidity.

I hope this is all making sense; there are kids playing under the table I'm sitting at, and it's a little hard to think. But it isn't a big deal! I love them dearly. The older one has sat next to me several times to watch me type this post. And right now they are giggling under the table and saying, "An American! An American!" The older one has poked my shin once or twice under the table, very gently...

Thursday night we were at our neighbors' house for dinner, and there was a group of seven teenagers my age or a little older. I sat with the teenagers and talked with them! It was scary at first, but they were really  cool! They asked lots of questions and laughed at my accent, but I laughed at theirs when they tried to speak English. One of the kids told me speaking English was as hard for them as French is for me, which made me feel much better. They expected me to not like the weather here, but I prefer it to Indiana's summer heat and humidity, which I hear is pretty bad this year. When I told them how hot it is there, one kid asked if we fry eggs on the top of our cars. Do you?

The teenagers here aren't much different from American teenagers. We had lots of snacks and listened to music. There was a lot of laughing, and we kicked a soccer ball around in the backyard. In France, kids are allowed to drink at home whenever their parents think they are old enough. It was strange for me when the teenagers had bottles of wine, champagne, and whiskey out on the porch with us. I was talking with one of my professors about how teenagers have the right to drink alcohol, and he said he prefers it that way. Kids learn how to drink from their parents in their home, so there isn't much irresponsible drinking. They offered me both alcohol and cigarettes, but I politely declined. You're welcome, Mom.

Last night we went to friends' for dinner, and it was crazy! The dinner was a celebration, but I'm not quite sure how to explain what we were celebrating. The couple had signed an agreement, like a marriage. But it wasn't a marriage, just a legal document. But there was a big party! There were at least thirty people, and we didn't start dinner until 10:45! We had moules-frites (mussels and fries), porc, bread, and lots of wonderful pastries. There was an incredible amount of mussels and fries!!! There were enough for LEFTOVERS after 30 Frenchmen finished eating. That's unbelievable. I met lots of people and talked about so many things! I explained why I am here and what I'm learning in school, and I talked a lot about places in the US that the other guests have visited. One woman (a Parisian whose accent was so easy to understand! Finally!) talked to me about a lot of movies. We talked about "The Blues Brothers" after she asked if I had dogs (ours are named after the main characters of the movie). Her son and his friend love "Remember the Titans" (He said, "Ah, that is an excellent film. Excellent."). The woman couldn't believe I've never seen "Armageddon," and insisted I watch it when I get home. My favorite conversation was with one of Monique's daughters. Her name is Gislaine, and she is a lot like me! She came over to see if I was okay while everyone was talking and eating BEFORE THE DINNER. I was fine! I don't talk very loudly and wasn't asking for much, so she came to check on me. We talked about my family and my time in France, and how little time I have left! I told her I'm the first one in my family who has traveled to France, but I'd like to return with them someday! She told me that she thinks I'm brave for being here without my family for so long. It was so nice to talk with her! She is very kind and a good listener, and I spoke very openly with her.

Today was the first day all summer I was able to sleep in as long as I wanted! I didn't get up until 10:30, which isn't bad considering we left the party at two this morning. Today is Gislaine's birthday, and we'll be at their house this evening. Then tomorrow we have another birthday party: one of the children that Monique watches is turning 1! Then I have my last full week of school! The weekend that will follow will be spent in Brest for Bastille Day- awesome! We're taking the RV there for a festival. Michaela, whenever I tell people your birthday is July 14, they say, "Oh, for France's national holiday!" Yep : )

Monique says bonjour, Mom and Dad! She is slicing apples in the kitchen for her apple tarte, whose recipe I'd like to get...

That's all for right now! Love you all, and I'll see you soon!!